Harris-Moore waives right to speedy trial

Colton Harris-Moore and his attorney, John Henry Browne, waived the right to a speedy trial, allowing both sides more time to prepare before grand-jury indictment.

Emily Langlie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, said a judge approved the agreement last Thursday.

“Everybody agreed this gives both sides more time to move forward in a thoughtful and organized fashion,” Langlie said.

She said federal prosecutors are still working with local jurisdictions to determine the best plan for prosecuting Harris- Moore.

“It’s still a matter of discussion,” Langlie said. “Local jurisdictions are taking a look at their cases to determine which ones they have the strongest evidence for.”

This is a time-consuming process in a case like Harris-Moore’s, when you have a crime spree that stretches across two years and multiple states, she noted.

Each jurisdiction, Langlie said, will need to decide where its best interests lie.

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks is quite certain where the interests of his jurisdiction lie.

“We’re gonna prosecute him,” Banks said. Banks said existing charges in Island County are already on file with superior court, and he intends to follow through with them, adding additional charges as necessitated by evidence.

Banks said he’s heard rumors of Browne’s desire to have all charges consolidated in some kind of global prosecution in federal court. However, he added, “I’ve only read about that in the papers — no one has talked to me about it.”

In Island County, Banks said, Harris- Moore is wanted in connection with property thefts and burglaries.

“The fact that he later went out and made a name for himself doesn’t really have anything to do with the way we’re planning to prosecute him,” Banks said.

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews. com.